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CBD Isolate vs. CBD Oil

Are you curious about CBD isolate vs. oil? As CBD grows in popularity, more and more people are seeking out the best ways to dose this therapeutic cannabis compound. While everyone has their own unique body and brain chemistry, understanding the differences in CBD products allows you to find solutions that align with your personal needs and goals.

Discover the differences between CBD isolate and traditional CBD oil so you can make an informed decision on the best option for you.

Understanding CBD

Before you learn about the differences between CBD isolate vs. oil, you should understand what CBD is. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the compounds in the plant that act on your body’s cannabinoid receptors, which affects how your brain’s neurotransmitters respond.

For example, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most well-known cannabinoid. THC is known for its psychoactive effects—it’s what makes you feel “high” when consuming marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, produces different effects, as well as some of the same. When it comes to CBD isolate vs. oil, both forms of CBD may offer therapeutic benefits, including the following:

Promotes relaxation

Reduces anxiety

Provides a sense of well-being

Balances metabolism

Boosts appetite

Encourages a better night’s sleep

Alleviates pain

What Is CBD Oil?

Now that you have a better understanding of the CBD compound itself, you may be curious about how to take it. The most common option is CBD oil. To put it simply, CBD oil is the naturally occurring oil in the plant that has been separated from other compounds in the hemp plant. It can be extracted using a number of different methods.

When considering CBD isolate vs. oil, it’s important to note that both CBD products start out as CBD oil. The difference is the CBD isolate is further refined and purified to create the purest, most potent form of CBD possible.

How CBD Is Extracted

There are multiple ways to extract CBD from the hemp plant, including processes as simple as simmering the plant material in hemp oil for a long time, while some manufacturers use science lab equipment with CO2, alcohol, and other solvents to create the pressure and temperature needed to extract CBD in a controlled environment.

Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

NOTE: Paradigm Research Products does not produce or sell any full spectrum products. This information is for educational purposes only.

One of the key differences related to CBD isolate vs oil is that CBD isolate, by definition, does not contain any other compounds. It’s 100% CBD, so it’s never psychoactive. While some CBD oils are made just from the stems and stalks to prevent THC content, others are made using the whole plant, which results in a full-spectrum oil, meaning it contains the “full spectrum” of all parts of the hemp plant.

Besides the obvious effects associated with THC, there are reasons why some people prefer full-spectrum CBD oils—even if they don’t contain THC. The cannabis plant contains a huge variety of compounds, including chlorophyll flavonoids, fats, and terpenes (the molecules that give different cannabis strains their unique aromas).

So, the main difference between CBD isolate vs oil that hasn’t been purified is that the oil may (or may not) contain other plant materials. These compounds may produce what’s known as an “entourage effect.”

Although the various compounds in the cannabis plant don’t produce noticeable effects on their own, they can combine synergistically to produce more powerful effects. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

CBD Isolate

Now you understand that CBD oil is the naturally occurring oil found in the hemp plant, and full-spectrum CBD oil contains other compounds besides just CBD. CBD isolate is the final stop when comparing CBD isolate vs oil.

CBD isolate is the resulting crystalline powder that’s left once you remove everything except CBD. While different manufacturers may have their own unique processes for purifying CBD oil into isolate, it’s usually done by filtering the oil many times to remove any residual plant matter. From there, the filtered oil goes through a process called winterization.

Winterization describes the process by which the oil is exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure to fully eliminate any non-CBD molecules. The process involves combining the CBD oil with alcohol and exposing the mixture to freezing temperatures. It’s a safe process, and it leaves behind just pure, unadulterated CBD powder.

CBD Isolate vs. Oil: Which Is Right for You?

At this point, you may be wondering which form of CBD you should try. Both have their benefits, and it’s largely a matter of preference. One of the major benefits of isolate is that you know exactly what you’re getting, especially when you buy medical-grade isolate. You can rest assured that our CBD isolate contains no psychoactive ingredients—just pure CBD.

CBD isolate is also a great starting point for a first-time user because you can experience the true effects of CBD and nothing else. That way you know that the effects are being caused by CBD, rather than the entourage effect associated with full-spectrum products. CBD isolate gives you that solid baseline so you can gauge other products in comparison.

As you weigh CBD isolate vs oil, keep in mind that CBD isolate is the purest, most concentrated and potent form of CBD possible, not just available. If you want to experience the true potential of CBD, isolate is the way to go.